Email controversy: An NYU student opened up a digital Pandora's Box when he hit 'reply all' to a message from the school's Bursar's Office

A New York University student inadvertently opened up a digital Pandora's Box when he hit 'reply all' to a message from the school's Bursar's Office.

Student Max Wiseltier was trying to forward the message to his mother so they could discuss how to handle a bill.

But rather than just send it to his mom, the student inadvertently sent his email to the 39,979 people on the NYU Listserv.

Mr Wiseltier's accident exposed the 40,000 students at the prestigious New York City school to all sorts of emails - including animated GIFs, crowd-sourcing questions, and desperate pleas for students to knock it off.

The sophomore quickly sent out another mass email reading: 'SORRY!!!!! Gmail switched my reply to reply all!' but the damage was done.

Realizing they could contact the entirety of NYU, students were quick to jump at the opportunity.

'Well this could be fun,' one student wrote.

A short time later, a portrait of actor Nicholas Cage was sent to the university’s population.

Students asked for professor's office hours, advice, and even for a pencil to borrow.

Other students used the public platform as a place to air their grievances.

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NYU Local’s tech editor Ben Zweig explained that most NYU departments now rely on an E-mail Direct system, which allows messages to be sent out, but does not let users reply.

Some departments - such as the Student Resource Center - still rely on the older ListManager program.

Weren't you in ConAir? A short time later, a portrait of actor Nicolas Cage was sent to the university's population

Anger: While many students had their fun with the listserv, others were not as jovial about it

Jokes: Other requests were a lot more inane

Mr Zweig said: 'ListManager also sends mass emails but allows discussions (in the form of reply-alls), unless the settings are adjusted, disabling group discussions and only permitting emails from admins.'

The emails continued for more than a day until NYU Student Recource Center's David Vogelsang said he was responsible for what was dubbed 'replyallcalypse.'

He told NYU Local: 'I did not realize the list I was using was one that allowed for responses and thus the "replyallcalypse."'

Request: One student took the opportunity to ask a question they could have just asked the student sitting next to them in class

Frenzy: The lengthy email chain, ranging from the serious to the humorous, has been dubbed 'Replyallcalypse'

He wrote: ‘I take full responsibility for this blunder and offer my sincere apologies for the frustrating situation that was created,’ adding that the problem has since been rectified.

Mr Wiseltier told NYU Local that the slip-up he discovered could have positive benefits. 'I think the best thing to come out of these emails is a rekindled sense of community at NYU,' he said, 'even if it's based on being stupid.'

NYU has some around 43,900 students enrolled. Half of those enrolled are undergraduates.